Process for refining petroleums.



Wi. l. R-UMBLE.

PRocEss Foa REFINING PIiRoLEumsi APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. |909.

Lw' Emma Mar. 12, 19m.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M. J. TRUMBLE.

PROCESS FOR REFINlNG PETROLEUMS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.27. 1909. y L59, Til l Patented Mar 12, 191.81'

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f aan vsantas tte-WENT @Wmo MILON J'. TRUMBLE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO SIMPLEX -REFINING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS FOR REFINING PETROLEUMS.

Specication ofI Letters Patent.

'Patenten naar. 12, reis.

Application led September 27, 1909. Serial No. 519,883.

To all 'whom t 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, MILoN J. TRUMBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, havev invented a new and useful Process for Refining Petroleums, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention consists in subjecting a hydrocarbon oil to the emulsifying action of heated water to effect a breaking up of the molecular structure of such oil and to also effect a separation of the more volatile portion thereof.

My invention furthermore consists in repeatedly subjecting a hydrocarbon oil to the emulsifying action of heated water at constantly increasing temperatures to eEect a comparative effectual breaking up of the molecular structure of such oil and separating the more volatile portions of such oil at each repeated subjection of the oil to the action of the heated water.

My inventionalso consists in subjecting natural gases evolved from oil wells or gases of like nature to the action of vapors of hydrocarbon oil and water and subsequently condensing the same.

'Another object of the invention is to provide for the production and rening of clear illuminating oils from distillage without necessitating the use of chemicals such as sulfuric acid or caustic soda.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the recovery.of the lightest and most volatile hydrocarbons which pass over in the beginning of distillation.

Another object of the inventionis to provide for production of commercial oils from natural gases which are evolved yfrom oil wells and which are ordinarily wasted.

The process has been particularly applied in connection with oils having an asphaltum base, such as California petroleum, and especially in connection with the final rening and separation of the final products from the oils which are known as distillates, being the lighter products of the first distillation of crude oil.

The apparatus hereinafter described for carrying out the process forms the subject matter of my application of even date herewith. Serial No. 519,884 now Patent 1,002,- 474. Sept. 5, 1911.

The said apparatus as shown is adapted for effecting the separation of one product dilferent units may be used in the several required steps taken to effect the different fractionations which may be desired. In the present instance I have only shown an apparatus suliicient to effect the one product.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an apparatus suitable for carrying out the process.

Figure l is a plan of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of that portion of the apparatus in which the oil and oil vaporfare subjected to the action of steam and hot water fr fractional separation and refinement thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of said separating apparatus with parts broken away.

Fig; l is a transverse. section thereof on line wt-* in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line aL-m5- in Fig. 4.

l designates a fire-still which may be of any usual or suitable construction and is provided with a vapor outlet pipe 3.v 4 designates the burner or heating means for the still which may be an oil burner. The outlet pipe 3 from the still is inclosed in a jacket 5 for receiving cooling medium, as hereinafter set forth, for condensing the vapor.

The separating apparatus proper consists of a casing with two horizontal partitions or plates 7, 8 dividing the interior of the casing into three superposed chambers. Vertical partitions 10 extend from the bottom of the casing 6 to the lowermost horizontal plate 7. dividing the space therebetween into a plurality of compartments 11 extending separation of side by side. The pipe line 3 for condensing next-wall 10 for the passage of liquid from the third to the last compartment, it being understood that any desired number of chambers maybe used, each compartment communicating with the preceding and the maintained at the highest level in the first compartment, at a lower level in the next compartment and so on. r1`he final compartment 11 is connected near its bottom with the oil outlet pipe 14 leading to the tail house 15 where it may be connected, through valve 16, 17 with the tanks 18, 19, for the heavier qualities of oil, such as benzin or kerosene. Valves 20, 2l are provided inthe respective pipes 3 and 14 adjacent to the separatng apparatus.

'llhe plate 7 which forms the top of the compartments 11 is provided with a plurzlity of perforations oriop'enings 22, the ii'alls'23 around said openings. The chamber 24 between vthis plate 7 and the upper division plate 8 forms a condensing chamber for the lighter products of the oil, an outlet pipe 25 being connected withthis vchamber and leading to the tail house 15 whereit is connected-to the gasolene or light l gravity oil tank 27. A steam supply pipe `the water.

28 extends into each of the chambers 11 near the bottom thereof and is provided with a series of perforations preferably in the bottom of the pipe, said pipe extending substantially the entire length of the chamber,

so as to distribute steam throughout the body of oil in the chamber. Each pipe 28 is provided with a valve 29 and said pipes are connected to a common supply pipe 30 leadlng to asuitable source of steam, for example, boiler house 31. A drain pipe 32 may also be provided in the bottom of each chamber 11, said drain pipe being normally closed by a valve 33.

The oil delivery pipes 14 and 25 may extend parallel to one another and are inclosed by a water jacket 34. The upper chamber 3.5 of the casing 6, above the division plate 8, is provided with a connection for the\sup ply of cooling water thereto, a perforated pipe 36 extending in said chamber for admission of water and a delivery pipe 37 leading from said chamber for the discharge of Means are provided'for circulating acurrent of water through the water jacket l34, said water being supplied from ate being formed with lips or raised A by-pass pipe 42 connects the two pipes 3 and 14 and is rovided with a valve 43, by opening of whic the vapor from the still is allowed to pass through the pipe 14 to the tail house without passing through the separator. 44 designates an independent supply connection to the pipe 3 adapted for the admission or supply of natural gas or other gas which may be used in the process whenk it 'is desired tocondense gas and 45 designates a supply pipe for distillate or other` hydrocarbon'which is injected into the pipe 5 by steam supplied by pipe 46 provided with a valve 47. An independent oil supply connection 48, for example, from a pump line, leads into the first compartment 11, to

supply oil thereto from van independent source, if desired.

The process is. carriedlout as follows: Steam is generated in the boiler house 31 and water is circulated through the system of water jackets 34, 5 and the water chamber 35 of the separator with the result that the compartments 11 of the separator become filled with water up to the level of the respective outlets 12 thereof. In the form of the invention herein illustrated the necessary quantity of water to charge the compartments 11 may be supplied by the condensed steam. It will be understood, however, that the initial charge of water for these compartments, maybe supplied by introducing hot Water in any. desirable manner, as for instance, through the steam pipes 28. Assuming that the process is being used for the refinlng and separation of distil- F lates, thel stock or "base distillates or hydrocarbons are pumped through the pipe 2 to the lire-still and said still isoperated with fire heat alone, and Without steam, so as to maintain a steady heat on the oil or distillate therein causin the distillates to vaporize, the vapor passing olf through the vapor line 3. The circulation of water throughA oil or condensed oil -vapor and at the same time heats said oil and there is thus produced in the first compartment a body of oil and Water, and after the process is under Way and in normal operation, the said first compartment 11 is filled with Water containing more or less oil up to the level of the overflow 12 and the liquid overflowing through said overflow collects in the next compartment 11 and overflows through the overflow 12 thereof and so on in the succeeding compartments, each compartment beingoccupied by a body of water containing oil up to the level of the overflow therein, said Water resulting from condensation of the steam supplied through the pipe 28 leading into said compartment and said oil resulting from condensation of the oil vapor supplied through the pipe line 3. It will be understood that the bodies of Water in the several compartments are hot, the heat abstracted by the vaporization of a portion of the oil being sufficient to condense the steam into water, but not suiiicient to cool the water below the boiling point. The space above the overflow in each compartment is occupied by vapors of water and oil and is herein referred to as the steam space. In said first compartment the heat which is supplied to the body of hot water therein through the medium of the steam pipes keeps the water, and the oil which is supplied through the pipe 3, in a constant state of violent agitation, and the action of the steam and hot water While so agitated, causes emulsification of the oil and imparts sufficient heat to the oil to cause part of the lighter constituents, for example, gasolene, to pass upwardly as vapor through the openings 23 in the top of the compartment. Such portion of the condensed distillate as is not vaporized in this manner in the first compartment overflows while in an emulsified condition, together with a portion of the hot Water in which the condensed distillate is contained, into the next compartment, Where on account of the greater amount of steam space in the upper portion 'of the compartment and the correspondingly smaller amount of liquid in the lower portion of said compartment, a higher temperature is imparted to the liquid a-nd an additional quantity of vapor is driven 0H, the4 liquid being'l in this manner subjected to a series of heating operations at progressively higher temperatures and in contact with a body of water. In the apparatus disclosed the outlet openings 22 from the compartments 11 are of such relative size to the combined areas of the steam inlet openings in each compartment as to create a certain amount of back pressure, whereby it is possible to raise the temperature above that and intermixed with the Water and steam in product, for the reason that the action of the Vhot Water on the oil is exerted more efficiently when acting in this graduated manner, and I have found that by treating the oil with bodies of Water of successively higher temperatures a larger amount of the more valuable high gravity oil is obtained. The oil vapors whichY are expelled from the compartments 11 and pass upwardly into the chamber 24 are subjected therein to the cooling infiuence of the body of Water in the Water chamber 35 and are thereby condensed, passing out through the gasolene line 25 to the gasolene tank.

I have found that the above described operation and the action of the hot Water and steam on the condensedy oil vapor suspended the form of an emulsion, causes such an alteration in the product that the lightest and most volatile vapors which are not generally subjected to condensation, are by this operation rendered capable of being absorbed by the gasolene and dissolved therein as they pass ofl' through the gasolene line 25 along with the gasolene vapors which are condensed by the cooling effect of the Water flowing in the water jacket 34. In fact, I have found that it is possible to absorb and dissolve portions of the natural gas such as escapes from the oil as it is pumped from oil Wells by admitting it to the vapor inlet pipe 3 along with the 110 condensed vapor from the still or along with distillate'admitted `through the pipe 45 Without operation of the still. In either case there is produced from the gas a condensible product which liquefies in the gasolene line 34 and can be drawn off into the gasolene tank. That portion of the.- condensed vapor product from the inlet pipe 3 which is not subject to vaporization by the successive action inthe compartments 11, passes from the final compartment 11 through the pipe 14 to the benzin or kero- .sene tanks in the tail house, along with any excess Water of condensation, said Water settling out from the oil and being drawn off'as required by connections 50.

The process is also applicable for the separation and refining of oil without preliminary distillation, such oil being led directly from vthe pump line through the pipe 48 130 ment it will in general produce oils of sufficiently definite'composition and purity for commercial use. l have, for example, treated by this process dark stock distillate having a gravity of'about thirty eight producing kerosene with a gravity of about 'forty five and gasolene of a gravity of about sixty five, the kerosene and gasolene so produced being water white and vfree from objection-- able odor. rl`he odorous'and coloring matter is absorbed by the water of condensation in thecompartments 11 andpasses off with said water. ln this connection it is important that the water should be absolutely pure and this is insured by the use of water of condensation only. I,

While my process enables chemicals to -be dispensed with, such chemicals may be'used if desired, and in some cases, for example, in treating crude oil directly in one distillation, the usual chemical treatment with sulfurie acid and followed by washing with caustic soda solution may be employed, the first distillation in that case, being run through the separator to produce the final product.. l prefer however to use the rst distillation as stock for the distillation in this process asI above stated.

lin carrying out my process, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the water and oils in ithe separate compartments not lower than the temperature at which water produces steam;n and other means may b employedy to maintain the requisite temperature in the body of oil and water, to thereby subject the oil to the presence of steam.

What l claim is:

l. The process of refining petroleum which consists in introducing the petroleum successively into bodies of water at successively higher temperatures, passing steam into said bodies of water-to maintain the temperatures thereof l'and to thoroughly agitate ythe oil therewith, thereby producing an emulsionof oil and water and causing a portion of the oil to be vaporized in each` body of water, subsequently condensing the portions so vaporized, and drawing ofi the unvaporized ,portions along with the water and separating the water therefrom.

'2. The process of treating hydrocarbons which consists in introducing a hydrocarbon gas together with hydrocarbon oil into a body of water, passing steam intogsaid body of water to supply heat thereto and to thoroughly agitatethe same, thereby producing an emulsion of the oil and water and causing the gaseous and vaporous products to be expelled from the body ofwater, and subsequently condensing said gaseous and vaporous products into liquid form.

3. The process of refining 'petroleum by the successive application theretoof heating media of increasing degrees of temperature,

comprising introducing the petroleum into a heated body of water, thereby vaporizing a portion of such petroleum, withdrawing the unvaporized oil from the water and introducing it into another body of water having a higher temperature than the first named body of water, whereby the second named body of water further vaporizes the petroleum, withdrawing the vapors and condensing the same, and withdrawingl the petroleum from the heated water.

4. The process of refining petroleum by the successive application thereto of heating media of increasing degrees of temperature, comprising introducing the petroleum into a body of hot water, heating such water to a temperature suiiicient to thoroughly agitate the oil and water, thereby producing an emulsion and partially vaporizing a portion of the petroleum, withdrawing the unvaporized petroleum from the water and introducing it into another body of water, heating such second named body of water to a higher temperature than the first named body of water to further volatilize the petroleum, withdrawing the vapors evolved and condensing the same, and withdrawing the residue of petroleum from the last named body of water.

5. rll`he process of refining petroleum which vconsists in introducing the petroleum sucemulsify the oil and water, and heating the successive bodies of v water to successively higher temperatures in their respective progressive order while agitating the oil and water to emulsify the same, thereby producing a partial vaporization of the petroleum in each of the bodies of water, withdrawing the vapors and condensing the same, and withdrawing the residue of petroleum-from the last body of water.

6. A continuous process of refining petroleum which comprises introducing the petroleum into a body of water and subjecting such water and petroleum to a temperature sufiicient to emulsify, and agitate the same and cause a portion of the petroleum to vaporize, withdrawing the unvaporized petroleum from the top of such body of water and introducing the same into another body of water and subjecting such petroleum and water to a higher temperature than the first named temperature, whereby the emulsifying action of water at successively higher temperatures acts upon the petroleum to separate the volatile component parts thereof from the heavier arts thereof by degrees, withdrawing t e vapors and condensing the same, and withdrawing the resi- -10 due of petroleum from the Water. y In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 20th day of September, 1909.

MILON J. TRUMBLE. In presence of- ARTHUR P. KNIGHT,

FRANK L. A. GRAHAM. 

